Albert Methfessel

Albert Methfessel was a German composer, singer, musicologist, and conductor. Originally destined by his parents for service in the church, like his older brother, he left theological studies because of his great interest in music. Given a scholarship by local nobility, he was able to formally study music, and then return to his hometown of Rudolstadt to perform and sing for twelve years. He spent three years in Hamburg before becoming an itinerant musician for seven years. His period of greatest income was as Kapellmeister in Braunschweig from 1832 to 1842. His career was then hampered by health difficulties, but he continued to compose, write musical treatises, and correspond with his fellow musicians until his death in 1869. He is most well-known for his vocal compositions, in particular, his works for students and for male voices.